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Undergraduate students from any major, ranging from psychology to business management to integrative physiology to environmental studies to SLHS to engineering (and more!) take the ASL courses to meet the university’s foreign language requirement. Graduate students can also enroll in ASL courses.

ASL courses are available in fall, spring, and summer at 4 different levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Each course is 4-credits and generally meets in person for two days a week for 1.15 hours each day and has 50 minutes of associated asynchronous coursework.

Class sizes are capped at 20 students each with the goal of maximizing the student learning experience. The mode of communication for classes is entirely in ASL, with the goal of creating an immersive foreign language learning experience and fostering a strong ASL community. On some occasions, a sign language interpreting service, for example, during orientation on the first day of class, may be used to facilitate communication between a Deaf instructor and students.

Through ASL coursework, students will gain an understanding of the grammatical rules in ASL, build conversational skills, and learn about Deaf culture. Class activities, assignments, and assessments will involve hands-on practice with ASL, immersive experiences with the ASL community in the classroom, viewing videos where the mode of communication is ASL, and creating video recordings practicing and signing in ASL.

SLHS 2305: American Sign Language 1

Introduces basic sign vocabulary, grammatical structures of ASL, and the culture of deaf people. Classes are taught using ASL without the use of spoken English.

SLHS 2315 American Sign Language 2

Develops more complex vocabulary and grammatical structures, and an understanding of deaf culture. Classes are taught using ASL without the use of spoken English.

SLHS 2325: American Sign Language 3

Continuation of SLHS 2315. Covers ASL literature, advanced grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions, and deaf culture.

SLHS 2335: American Sign Language 4

Continuation of SLHS 2325. Develop intermediate ASL production and comprehension skills. Students expand vocabulary, learn complex grammar, and engage with ASL literature, history, Deaf culture, and culturally appropriate behaviors.

SLHS 3000: Deaf Studies

This course examines Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority, exploring their human rights, social justice, and cultural identity. Topics include ASL history, multi-identities, technology, education, medical perspectives, Deaf art, media, and literature.